Statement from West Belfast Assembly Member, Alec Maskey, describing
as, ``welcome'', the news from New York, that the boxing match
involving the RUC is now in doubt due to an inability to get a venue
for the bout.

Mr. Maskey said:

``The jury on the RUC, the Patten Commission, is still out. It is
welcome news that the proposed boxing bout involving the RUC is in
doubt. I understand that many respected people in New York have
voiced their opposition to this including members of congress.

``The reality that the RUC are a sectarian force guilty of abuse,
collusion, shoot to kill, torture and are a serving unionist militia
is recognised in New York. That is the background to the opposition
in New York. The Good Friday Agreement prescribes a policing service
which is `capable of attracting and sustaining support from the
community as a whole' and `representative in terms of the make up of
the community as a whole. The RUC clearly does not meet these
criteria. The RUC is unacceptable to nationalists. A new policing
service is required.

``The RUC should not be afforded a mantle of respectability or
acceptability in the United States. It is disgraceful that the Garda
Síochana have been permitted to do so over a period of several months
now in Washington, New York and elsewhere. This should cease.''